PEZ Bookshelf: Maglia Rosa – Triumph and Tragedy at the Giro d’Italia

“Maglia Rosa: Triumph and Tragedy at the Giro d’Italia” by Herbie Sykes offers a comprehensive and engaging history of Italy’s iconic cycling race. Published in 2011, the book stands out as one of the few detailed English-language accounts of the Giro d’Italia, blending dense historical detail with vivid storytelling. Sykes traces the origins of Italian bike racing from the late 19th century, highlighting how the sport evolved alongside Italy’s uneven industrialisation and social transformation, particularly focusing on Milan’s role as a cycling hub. The narrative captures the chaotic and often unpredictable nature of the Giro’s early years, describing it as a race filled with extraordinary characters and dramatic episodes. Many riders were impoverished amateurs who saw the race as a rare opportunity to earn money for their families, often borrowing bikes just to compete. Sykes profiles a colourful cast of athletes, including Tano Belloni, a former wrestler turned cyclist, and Giovanni Brunero, a talented climber whose legacy has faded despite multiple Giro wins. The book also explores how the Giro served as a tool for national unity in a newly unified Italy, contrasting its deeply Italian character with the more internationally focused Tour de France. Among the notable stories is that of Alfonsina Strada, the only woman to compete in the Giro, who despite numerous crashes and eventual elimination, completed the race and became its top earner in 1924. The book also recounts how Alfredo Binda’s dominance led organisers to encourage him to race the Tour de France instead, highlighting the race’s sometimes eccentric management. The introduction of the Maglia Rosa in 1931, inspired by the Tour’s yellow jersey, marked a key moment in the race’s identity, although even this was met with political resistance from Mussolini, who disapproved of the pink colour. Sykes’ work is notable not only for its rich historical detail but also for its human focus, bringing to life the personalities and struggles behind the race’s mythology. The book’s structure, often centred around individual riders and their stories, provides a textured understanding of the Giro’s place in Italian culture and sporting history. For cycling enthusiasts and historians alike, “Maglia Rosa” offers an enthralling portrait of a race that has long been defined by its blend of triumph, tragedy and enduring passion.